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Monday, August 15, 2011

Sadili players performed well at the just concluded first leg of the ITF/CAT (Confederation of African Tennis) U14 tournament held in Bujumbura, Burundi, with 13 year old Shebani Kabura reaching the finals after beating compatriot Henry Ayesiga 3/6 7/5 6/3 in a closely contested semi-final, and Rwanda's top junior Habiyambere Ernest 3/6 6/0 6/4. Shebani later lost in the finals to top seed Nkurunziza Saidi of Burundi 5/7 3/6. Henry was winner at the last ITF/CAT U14 event in Nairobi in April this year, had caused an earlier upset in the quater-finals, beating seed 3 Shabani Kassalo (Burundi) 3/6 7/5 6/4. Other Sadili players, John Dennis Lutaya and Olivier Kigotho met in the first round, with John taking the match 6/1 6/0. Lutaya went on to upset seed 4 Jules Ndibwami 6/0 6/4, advancing to his first quarterfinals this year, where he was stopped by tournament winner and top seed Nkurunziza Saidi (Bur) 6/0 7/5. Newcomer David Nesbitt (USA) won his first round match against Iranyuma Jeze (Bur) 6/2 4/6 7/6(3), then lost to seed 2 Shabani Kassalo (Bur) 1/6 1/6.